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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

A digital signature authenticates electronic documents in a similar manner a handwritten signature authenticates printed documents. This signature cannot be forged and it asserts that a named person wrote or otherwise agreed to the document to which the signature is attached. The recipient of a digitally signed message can verify that the message originated from the person whose signature is attached to the document and that the message has not been altered either intentionally or accidentally since it was signed. Also the signer of a document cannot later disown it by claiming that the signature was forged. In other words digital signatures enable the "authentication" and "non-repudiation" of digital messages assuring the recipient of a digital message of both the identity of the sender and the integrity of the message.
A digital signature is issued by a Certification Authority (CA) and is signed with the CA's private key. A digital signature typically contains the: Owner's public key the Owner's name Expiration date of the public key the Name of the issuer (the CA that issued the Digital ID) Serial number of the digital signature, and the digital signature of the issuer. Digital signatures deploy the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) technology.

The DSC is typically issued with one and two year validity. It includes the cost of medium (a UBS token which is a onetime cost) the cost of issuance of Digital Signature and the renewal cost after the period of validity. The issuance costs in respect of each Certification Agency vary and are market driven.

Digital Signature Certificate, in simple terms, is a file created by a Licensed Certifying Authority through encryption and is then issued to you, in the USB eToken. When signing any particular document this file is accessed, which acts like a 'key' (Private Key) and locks & secures the document being signed (through encryption). [This is similar to using a key in a physical lock to secure your valuables in a bank locker - a lock can only be opened by its own key].
In addition to locking the document being signed, this file also adds a Digital Certificate to it containing your identity details, viz. name, Organization's name, email ID, etc.
It also adds a key code (known as public key) which is the same key that resides in the certifying authority server, thereby allowing the other party to validate the authenticity of your DSC.
Contrary to popular myth, the DSC does NOT contain a scanned copy of your physical signature.

A digital signature is a way to ensure that an electronic document (e-mail, spreadsheet, text file, etc.) is authentic, Authentic means that you know who created the document and you know that it has not been altered in any way since that person created it. Digital signature Certificates are used to sign electronic documents and Digital signatures rely on certain types of encryption to ensure authentication.

In India, DSC was first used by Registrar of Companies (ROC) when the Ministry of Company Affairs transitioned into e-filing of statutory returns. The benefit accrued through the same was adopted by other government agencies in India and today it's being widely used. Some of the popular uses of DSC are as below:

e-filing of Income Tax Returns: An assesses can file his/her Income Tax Return online and those who sign their returns digitally do not have to send the physical copies of the same to the Income Tax Department for verification.

e-filing of Company Returns (ROC): To ensure statutory compliance for companies in India, the Registrar of Companies (ROC) has now made e-filing mandatory and a DSC is required to do the same.

e-tender / e-Procurement: Many of the state governments as well as other government agencies in India have transitioned to e-procurement and you need a DSC to bid for tenders online.

A RA (Registration Authority) is an agent of the Certifying Authority who collects the application forms and related documents for DSC, verifies the information submitted and approves or rejects the application based on the results of the verification process.

Digital Signature Certificate can be renewed by re-submitting your valid Identity & Address proof along with the renewal form and appropriate fees. A new set of Public-Private Key is issued to you along with the certificate. A DSC of any Certifying Authority can be renewed by e-Mudhra.

USB eToken is a security device (looks similar to pen drive) which securely stores your Digital Signature Certificate. However, e-TOKEN IS NOT A PEN-DRIVE!! It contains a smart-card chip that attaches in the USB Port.

Benefits of using eToken:

Identifies the Certifying Authority issuing it.

Security: Once a DSC is imported into an e-Token, it is impossible to fetch it out or copy it even if you have complete control of the token.

Mobility: e-Token ensures that the DSC can be used in multiple computers without compromising security; a person is not stuck up with a single computer.

Safety: e-Token cannot be infected by viruses and hence will be safe until its validity.

Is valid for either one year or two years.

On the contrary, the use of DSC without the eToken / Smart Card, will compromise security because it requires you to install and copy your DSC in a computer. This is NOT recommended or safe method of use, if you are in a public environment i.e. using a Cyber Cafe / other person's computer / other people have access to your computer. A copy of the DSC will be stored in that computer unless you delete it after every use from that computer.